A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Haridwar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Haridwar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Haridwar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Haridwar?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Haridwar

A spiritual journey is not complete without a trip to Haridwar as it is the lands of legends and tales cleansed by the Holy Ganga and regarded as the Holiest places for washing of sins. Haridwar is located on the foothills of the Himalayas making the place a truly memorable experience. After making a Haridwar Darshan, you will find most of your answers regarding the unknown and uncertainties. Rishikesh is very close to Haridwar, for waking the adrenaline rush in you. One can plan out so many activities to do in Haridwar for a fun filling vacation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Photography Tours in India, and The Best Religious Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Haridwar or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Haridwar is $31. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Islamabad and Haridwar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Haridwar $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Haridwar $30
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Haridwar

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Haridwar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Haridwar


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Haridwar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.68
    Haridwar $5.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haridwar

Also for Haridwar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Dehradun- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing: $271
  • Delhi To Haridwar Transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
  • Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
  • Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $44
  • Affordable transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
  • Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
  • Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
  • Affordable Dehradun Airport Transfer.: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Haridwar?

Prices for flights to both Haridwar and Islamabad change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Islamabad $15
    Haridwar $10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Haridwar

For Haridwar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sattvic Traditional Cooking Classes, Rishikesh India: $35
  • Rishikesh Half Day Street Food Tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Haridwar $9.16

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
  • From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
  • Islamabad City Tour : $150
  • Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110

Tours and Activities in Haridwar

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Haridwar.

  • Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
  • Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
  • Day tour Haridwar Rishikesh Ganges: $72
  • Discovering Dehradun: A Full Day Guided Tour: $61
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Rishikesh with a local - A Unique Walking Tour: $14
  • From Delhi: 2-Day Tour of Rishikesh and Haridwar: $337
  • Guided Food Crawl Tour of Mussoorie with a local: $25
  • Guided Haunted & Mysterious Walking Tour of Mussoorie: $13
  • Guided Night Walking Tour in Rishikesh - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
  • Haridwar Tanga Tour: $29
  • Highlights of Rishikesh & Haridwar (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $150
  • Jungle Safari - Rajaji National Park Half Day Tour: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Haridwar $6.81


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Haridwar, we can see that Islamabad is more expensive. And not only is Haridwar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Haridwar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Haridwar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Islamabad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamabad than you might in Haridwar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Haridwar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Haridwar?

Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Haridwar. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Haridwar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

Related Articles for Islamabad